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Final: Cubs 6, Pirates 4 85
DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS Getting ready for the first pitch … Game: Pirates (78-69) vs. Chicago Cubs (64-82), 7:05 p.m., PNC Park Pitchers: LHP Jeff Locke (7-4, 3.60) vs. LHP Felix Doubront (3-5, 5.43) TV, radio: Root Sports, 93.7 The Fan Online: Live box score / Multimedia / Official media notes
With 15 games to go, the Pirates magic number to win the division is 18 (vs. STL), to host the Wild Card game is 20 (vs. SF), to play in the Wild Card game is 14 (vs. MIL), and to eliminate ATL is 12.
Cubs Lineup
CF: Arismendy Alcantara
SS: Javier Baez
3B: Luis Valbuena
C: Welington Castillo
2B: Chris Valaika
1B: Mike Olt
LF: Junior Lake
RF: Matt Szczur
SP: Felix Doubront
Glorified Iowa cubs from July.
Since Aug 18th:
Giants 17-7
BUCS 14-8
Cards 14-9
LA 13-8
Nats 12-11
Braves 10-12
Brewers 7-16
That 3-game sweep in STL still looms so large.
Make the Braves 10-13 after losing to Texas AGAIN.
Personally, I’d be ok with Atl losing so many games that the 4 game set there late in the year is moot.
They are on their way, Jim. Their offense is W-E-A-K.
You can choose any date to start with to support your statistical analysis. Like graphs and charts. If you want a more accurate stats analysis, look at wins and losses against winning and losing teams and the margins of those wins and losses..
huh? the numbers shared are indeed accurate. I agree that you can parse statistics to fit a narrative, but I didn’t offer a narrative. Just that the Braves offense is weak, and you can check out the full season stats to your heart’s desire to see how that proves true.
Pirates lineup
Harrison 3B,
Mercer SS,
Cutch CF,
Walker 2B,
Martin C,
Tabata RF,
G. Sanchez 1B,
Snider LF,
Locke LHP.
No Marte again? Still feeling the effects of that HBP?
He needs to get some armor on that forearm/elbow, since he can’t seem to avoid the HBP.
From what we’ve seen of Marte’s ABs so far, he seems to consider being HBP as a legitimate means of getting on base. Like professional crooks, being caught (or hurt) is, “doing your time.”
Have some faith in Tabata. Everyone speaks of “track records.” Look at last season, during the most critical period of the year. I love Marte, but forcing Tabata into the line up is not such a bad thing.
If there’s a lefty on the mound, I think he’s the better option than Lunchie.
He’s the best of 2 weavels.
I like the way Hurdle and the coaches keep faith in and working in players who were *out of favor* earlier in the season. Harrison is the best of examples, but Snider and now Tabata are other good ones.
Hope Locke continues to attack — not nibble – at strike zone. Especially v. today’s weak lineup.
Oh, and until Karen arrives: Re-sign #55. (Should’ve done it before. Can’t really have contract negotiations in middle of pennant race. But after season, we compete w/other teams.)
I’m here…and ALWAYS agree with that sentiment!
A year ago today, Pedro got his inside the park homer. The first of three consecutive homers that night.
Locke not looking good at all.
The “bad” Jeff show up tonight??
Cubs. Every batter an easy out. Ladies and gentleman, the real Jeff Locke.
Cubs easy outs just lit the scoreboard for 3.
Yep. Locke in is not way a reliable pitcher.
Seems like we say this every time a Pirates pitcher bunts. Why bunt it to the 3b? He’s 20′ away. If you’re going to do that, you may as well swing away.
You r correct– they haven’t been able to bunt all year.
Just clueless. Even little leaguers know to bunt that toward first. This has to be on the agenda for fixing in the Spring. Not just Locke, ALL of the Pirates.
Cards up 4-0.
I’d get Cumpton up and stretched out…. Jeff just doesn’t have it tonight. Can’t let this go too much further….
Kind of unbelievable how well the Bucs are hitting vs., well, history. When was the last good-hitting team? 1992?
First half of 2008.
Not fair. A whole season. I don’t remember putting together a postseason lineup that was actually above par since 92.
Pirates and Cubs reversing roles.
Pirate base running at its finest. Not always Marte!!
Holiday has decided to be the MVP of the last month. Too bad, as they were in trouble until he took over.
Reds gave bags packed, no outs for Phillips.
Phillips draws a walk. The Reds can really do some damage here.
Bruce gets the 2nd run in on a sac fly, but the Brewers cut down the guy going to 3rd. 2-0 Reds, but Brewers may escape the big inning.
Locke is so frustrating, so inconsistent in down the stretch situations. At least Reds take 2-0 lead on Brewers.
Locke should not be hitting here. This game kind of matters, Clint. We’re down 3-0.
What could he be saving the pen for tonight? We had a runner in scoring position w one out in the 5th, down 3, & he let Locke bat. Plus, a bunch of fresh guys in the pen.
Mystifying. Although this guy was pretty weak up here, this season. Perhaps Clint thinks we are going to clobber him, soon?
Who knows what he’s thinking sometimes, Patrick. I love Clint’s interpersonal skills. But, this yr, I have been baffled by a lot of his tactical decisions.
Jim, I have found his game decisions to be suspect for all his tenure, but it is hard to argue with the results last season, and this one, too,given the injuries. Some of them just scream out . . .
Ramirez HR & just like that, 2-1. Reds blew a great chance to break it open.
Idiotic decision to let Locke hit last inning. I guess blowing a chance to score was worth getting 1 or 2 more outs from him ? Like I said, idiotic.
One more out. He’s managing like it’s May. Inane.
Jeopardizing a team win so Jeff can have a shot at a personal win? Un-freaking-believable.
i doubt that is it, but who knows. doubt it’s locke over the team in clint’s mind.
YES< poor decision by Clint there. I can see if Locke was dealing, but he was sccchrruggaling along, and you need runs.
YEP. A hundred pitchers in the bullpen and Locke NOT dealing. WTH??
Bucs need at least 1 run this inning… lead it off Jordy>…
AW check your e-mail
Out.
Seriously? These decisions are so arbitrary. Why overturn anything?
This game stinks and so do the umps. If they’re not going to get it right, why bother?!
Cubs have a little Ike Davis in them. #whiners
Billy Hamilton trip .. trip … triples in a pair!! 4-1 Redlegs.
Some help in Milwaukee. Reds lead 4-1 in 7th.
It would be nice to pull this one out of the fire!
That last inning hurt.
BC leads USC at half 20-17. Pat Haden has not stormed the field to protest any calls to this point.
Wonder if Polanco having second thoughts about his willingness to sign a long term contract?
I wondered that myself, Patrick. I assume his agent advised against signing. I think he’ll still be really good, but the offer would not be the same today as it was then. I seem to recall many industry experts decided the Bucs were trying to take advantage.
Reds go up 5-1 & have 2 on with none out in 8th. Looking like no movement in #2 WC race tonight. Unfortunately, Cards are still winning.
Can’t win them all but getting crushed by this lousy team hurts.
Yep. Just not our night.
Ugh!
Russ! So close!
Cha-ching. RM drives in 3.
There’s 3 quickly!
Steve Blass’ best line, about a pitch Martin fouled off to stay alive….”Sophia Loren, looks good for a long time!”
Fans need to take up collection for Russ.
.
We start with Nutting’s $59, 999,999.
Ike being Ike. That at bat was so him.
You mean taking two strikes and waving at a ball in the dirt?
And, complaining about a called strike, of course. No Ike at bat is complete w/o that.
Well that made things interesting. One thing I will say is that this club does not seem to ever give up
Never. They could still put something together in the 9th, too.
Brewers go down. We don’t lose any ground in WC race.
Colorado hasn’t totally given up in St Lou. 5-2. 2 runners on, 1 out. Tying run at the plate.
Sac fly makes it 5-3. 1 man on. Last chance.
The Fort doubles. The ball may have been interfered with by a fan. Either way, it’s a double. Question is whether it is 5-3 or 5-4. Doesn’t matter as Rockies are down to last out. Tying run will be at 2nd.
Cards hang on. It’s what they do. Ugh!
Crap